The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-07-23
LETTER FROM MRS. CRoSLEY.


GETTYSBURG, Pa, July 8, 1887.
Editor of the Uniuersalist Il have by
no means forgotten my promise, made
at Ohio Convention, to write you "along
the line.n I do not know that have
any apology to offer for my long silence,
but perhaps simple statement of facts
will clear me of all charge of wilful
neglect.
In the first place, shall not attempt
to deny that into my plans for this
Overland Crusade"
an element of pure and undefiled self
ishness entered largely. In all my min
isterial career, have never had vaca-
tion; and I began to feel had earned a
s'play-spell," taking, it is true, that
which many of my friends regarded as
novel way to enjoy the same, but one
which impressed me very favorably.
And after weeks of experience, l am
happy to say I do not regret having
started on this trip. Our experiences
have been varied-some pleasant, some
otherwise but I expected to encounter
difficulties, and therefore was not wholly
unprepared to meet them. But over
against these stand experiences which
make this trip the event of lifetime
for my boys, while every day and hour
is filed with that which shall be profit
able unto me. We are
"Roughing it,"
in genuine camp style-cooking, eating
and sleeping on the ground. l can roll
in my blanket and sleep on the turf like
an old soldier, while my 'usual appe-
tite" has not deserted me. We find no
difficulty in obtaining food, even in the
rural districts, while we aim to supply
our needs in the towns through which
we pass. 1t is amusing to see how
people stare, even while treating US
with perfect courtesy and Kindness.
We occasionally overhear their COM
ments- as mo, they are not gyp-
sizes, but don't know what to make Of
theml" At one point in Eastern Ohio,
we were interviewed as being part of
s'Uncle Toms Cabin" troupe, travelling
in that vicinity, and exhibiting under
canvas. Whether I most resemble
t'Topsy" or ''Miss Ophelia," is yet a
disputed point between my boys. While
at one noon camp, by river side, we
were accosted from the bank overhead,
by lean and lank specimen of human
ity, with-"Got anything to swap ?"
He was driving a steed worth about
1915 in actual horsefesh. And so the
days go on, filled with incidents, trifling
in their nature, yet giving a glimpse
of phases of human life, of which,
hitherto, we have known nothing.
We have passed through the most
famous
Oil and Gas Regions of Pennsylvania,
and while acknowledging certain ad-
vantages, I cannot say am favorably
impressed. Atone point, Washington,
we were informed there were over 800
Oil and gas wells within radius of a
few miles. Tank after tank, with a
capacity of thirty Thousand barrels
each, line the tracks of railways. 1t will
be remembered that at Washington is
located the
First Cnematory
erected in the United States. A little
incident connected with it's building
may be introduced here. This town is
also quite a stronghold for Presbyte-
rianism-a college and several churches
being located within it's limits. The
opposition of the citizens to the build
ing of the Crematory was very strong,
and carried to such an extent that
threats were made of resOrting to law,
to compel the builder to abandon his
project. However, an examination of
legal lore proved eonclusively that a
man can build whatsoever he pleas
eth on his own premises, and prosecu-
ton was abandoned. One day Pro-
fesSor from the College, staid d. D.,
was driving near the point where the
building was in process of erection, and
with solemn gravity inquired of the
owner and builder, Thomas, what are
you putting there ?" With a faint
twinkle of English humor in his eye the
man replied, Indeed, sir, its nothin'
but a wee bit hell" 1t is needless to
add the D. D. drove silently on.
We spent one unday at
Cresson Springs,
the famous summer resort among the
Alleghenies, and a more delightful
region could not be imagined. Our
hotel, the Summit House, is built upon
the highest point of ground in Penn
sylvania. 1t will be remembered it
was in this locality the noted priest,
Father Galitzin, established his mission.
His body lies buried there, while his
memory is revered, even unto this day,
by those of his household of faith. 1
drank from the spring flowing from the
mountain-side, whose waters he blessed